Clothespin



y 1961 A. B. GREENWOOD 2,

CLOTHESPIN Filed Nov. 24, 1959 INVEN TOR.

Arfhur 5. Greenwood BY ECKHOFF SLICK Mmber of 3a fl'rm United States Patent Ofiiice Patented May 9, TEST.

CLGTHESPIN Arthnr B. Greenwood, 825 E. 14th t., Pittsburg, Calif. Fiied Nov. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 855,175

2 Qlaims. (Cl. 24-437) This invention relates to a clothespin and more particularly relates to a plastic clothespin which can be placed on a line in any position. The invention also relates to a clothespin which is adapted for use with an automatic clothesline wherein the clothes are fastened and detached from the line by an automatic mechanism.

Clothespins have been used since time immemorial but are not wholly satisfactory. For one thing, some clothespins are frequently made of material which rubs off or disintegrates, leaving a deposit on the clothes. Another deficiency is that clothespins as heretofore used must be oriented in a certain direction when they are used to fasten clothes so that such clothespins do not lend themselves to automatic operation and are unwieldy to use even by hand. Further, some clothespins tend to either not grip clothes with sufiicient tenacity or to tear the clothing.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a clothespin which obviates all of the above-enumerated disadvantages.

According to the present invention, a clothespin is made having a series of clothes-gripping elements extending radially from a central point. Further, the clothespin is made with alternating elements, some of which are more resilient than other elements so that a better gripping action is provided. Further, although only two of the elements of the radial series are in actual gripping relationship with the clothing at any one time, all of the elements contribute to the gripping action as is more fully hereinafter brought out.

In the drawings forming a part of this application:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clothespin embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a clothespin in use on a line showing the line and clothing in cross section.

Figure 3 is a partial View of a pin showing an alternate form of arm.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, there is shown a clothespin having a central portion 3 of generally circular figuration. Preferably, the pin has a hollow center as at 5 so that it can be strung on an automatic secondary line and also for saving of weight and material. Arranged around the central member 3 are a series of arms 7 which terminate in the outer ringlike members 9 and 11. Preferably, eight such arms are employed, although a larger or smaller number may be used. It will be noted that the members 9 have substantially uniform walls while the members 11 have a thickened portion as at 13. Since the members have a uniform wall, they are more yieldable than the relatively stiif members 11 having the thickened portion 13. Although the spacing between the alternate elements is quite close as at 15, inner portions of the arm are bent inwardly as is shown so that a much larger space is provided at 17 which contributes also to the clothes-gripping action. The arms may be of the form shown in Figure 3 wherein a post 3 supports a ring-like element 10. Such arms may replace the members 11 and 13.

The clothespin of the present invention is preferably made of a relatively soft resilient plastic such as polyethylene although other plastics having similar physical characteristics may be used. When the clothespin is not in use, the sections 9 and 11 may be in contact with each other but are preferably spaced slightly apart, suitably 1, as at 15. When the clothespin is in use, as is shown in Figure 2, not only is the adjacent member 9 to the clothing somewhat compressed but all of the members around the ring are brought into contact with one another so that all of the members contribute to the clothgripping action.

In Figure 2, the pin is shown in use over a line 19, holding clothing 21. The compressable nature of the unit aids in the application and removal of the unit from a line. The unit does not snag or deform clothing or like articles on the line.

I claim:

1. A clothespin of generally circular configuration of a soft yieldable plastic having a central portion and a series of radial arms extending outwardly therefrom, each of said arms having a generally rounded extremity with the sides of said rounded extremities substantially in contact with one another, leaving a space between the arms at the point where the arms are joined to the central member, every other of said arms being of relatively stilt configuration and alternate arms being of relatively yieldable configuration.

2. The clothespin of claim 1 wherein four relatively stifi arms are provided alternating with four relatively yieldable arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 153,644 Stanley et al. May 3, 1949 2,506,783 Fauteux May 9, 1950 2,910,753 Carbauh Nov. 3, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 86,018 Switzerland Aug. 2, 1920 

